Yacht Sinks Off in Italy, Leaves One Dead and Britons Missing

A tragic accident has unfolded off the coast of Sicily early Monday when a luxury yacht sank resulting in the death of one man and leaving six others missing.

The yacht, the 56m (183ft) Bayesian, carrying 22 people—including British, American, and Canadian nationals—was hit by a severe storm that caused the vessel to capsize.

Emergency services managed to rescue 15 people, among them a one-year-old British girl who was transported to the hospital but is reported to be in good condition.

The yacht, which had its anchor down, was overwhelmed by the storm’s intensity, leading to the breaking of its mast and its eventual sinking, according to eyewitnesses who spoke to the Italian news agency Ansa.

Local media reported that the storm, which struck overnight, produced waterspouts—tornado-like columns of rotating air over the sea—that contributed to the disaster.

Divers have since located the wreckage 50 meters below the water’s surface and are continuing the search for the missing individuals.

The nationality of the deceased man, found outside the wreckage, has yet to be confirmed.

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A nearby Dutch-flagged vessel was the first to respond to the incident, rescuing the survivors from the water.

Captain Karsten Borner of the Dutch vessel recounted the harrowing scene: “We saw a red flare, so my first mate and I went to the position, and we found this life raft drifting,” he told Reuters. The life raft carried 15 survivors, three of whom were “heavily injured.”

The storm caused widespread damage in the area, with local fishermen and boaters witnessing the aftermath.

Debris from the Bayesian, including deck cushions, was seen floating in the sea, while emergency services, including coastguard helicopters and divers, continued to search for the missing.

A Weather Forecaster Matt Taylor explained the phenomenon of waterspouts: “A waterspout is a tornado that has occurred over water rather than land. They can form during intense storms… and, like tornadoes, they bring powerful winds, but instead of picking up dust and debris, they cause a water mist around the column of rotating air.”

The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is in contact with local authorities regarding the incident.

The Bayesian was managed by Camper and Nicholsons International, whose spokesperson stated, “Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew.”

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